Cheap awning or alternative

I use the van for touring mainly, one or two up, and it has never seemed worth putting an awning up but I am taking a couple of friends to Upton Blues next month and I was thinking that it might be nice to have a bit more space.

I have a wind out canopy (Fiamma I think) which seems in good condition, I wondered about getting some simple sides for it but they seem to start at around £800 which is a bit thick for a single weekend...

The van technically sleeps five so it's not essential, but it would be a nice to have.

If you want a cheap awning, and I mean cheap you could try one of the gazebos that Aldi have at the moment - about 3m x 3m for £15! My wife will hopefully be able to get one for us later on, I might post a photo if its any good.

We also use a cheap gazebo with sides and windows - put it up under the wind out awning and then lower the awning on to the gazebo, no need for guylines and, IMO, far easier than fixing a front and sides on the wind out.

Phil & Hilary on tour with 3 small dogs, 2 tortoises, 1 budgie and a cockatiel with either a SMART ForFour TOAD with Unibrake A Frame & electronics or (when TOAD not needed or where not appreciated) the 'Bike in a Box' a specially converted box trailer containing a 125 Honda PCX and electric pushbike.

Our 3 metre square gazebo was either LIDL or ALDI and less then £60 with 4 side panels and 4 corner leg weights that you fill with water so light to carry. Shame I do not still work near you as you could have borrowed ours.

Phil & Hilary on tour with 3 small dogs, 2 tortoises, 1 budgie and a cockatiel with either a SMART ForFour TOAD with Unibrake A Frame & electronics or (when TOAD not needed or where not appreciated) the 'Bike in a Box' a specially converted box trailer containing a 125 Honda PCX and electric pushbike.

Funnily enough I saw that on eBay this morning - a single broken pole would not be a problem for one weekend, but Manchester would be a day's driving and a tankfull of diesel which would take the gain out of bargain (mind you that would leave me with bar... hurrah!)

Our 3 metre square gazebo was either LIDL or ALDI and less then £60 with 4 side panels and 4 corner leg weights that you fill with water so light to carry. Shame I do not still work near you as you could have borrowed ours.

Click to expand...

£60 is within budget, especially if it is the sort of thing that could be used for garden parties, although I have never felt the urge to look after my guests that well in the past (c: